Page 45 - Inflation

Inflation's grip on businesses loosened in March at the wholesale level

Inflation's grip on businesses loosened greatly in March, raising hopes that companies and consumers will suffer less from high prices as 2023 rolls on. The U.S. government said plunging energy prices pulled the producer price index down 0.5% in March from February. It marks the biggest decrease in producer prices in three years and follows other reports showing easing inflation on broader consumer prices. Producer prices, also known as wholesale costs, track prices in the production process before they reach the consumer. As a result, the producer price index can provide early signs of where inflation is headed. Some producer price data is also used in the construction of the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation, and so the decline in producer prices means the Fed's preferred index may also decline or come in very low when it is reported next week. Lower prices paid by businesses on raw materials and other items means they are less likely to raise prices in the month

Pakistan's inflation to rise to 29.5% in FY23, projects World Bank

The World Bank has warned that Pakistan's inflation is projected to further rise to 29.5 per cent in the fiscal year 2023 due to higher energy and food prices and the weaker Rupee, Dawn reported

US retail giant Best Buy to lay off hundreds of employees amid inflation

"Employees in 'consultant' roles told they can reapply for other internal jobs or receive severance," the report said

Samsung cuts pay hike to average 4.1%, freezes raises for board members

Both parties hammered out the compromise, taking into consideration the external headwinds that caused the quarterly profit to plunge nearly 96 per cent in the first quarter

When the randomness of monetary policy reminds one of a game of Ludo

The real issue may be that the RBI does not really subscribe to the mandate it has been given, and the govt, in a pre-election year, quietly supports such agnosticism, writes T N Ninan

Core inflation falls in March but health inflation remains steady, elevated

Household goods and services, personal care products still hovering at high levels

Global economy mired in weak growth, sticky inflation: IMF chief Georgieva

IMF's projection of 2.8% global growth for 2023 "is not enough to bring opportunities to businesses and people around the world, and most worrisome is the projection for weak growth over longer period

Soaring milk prices may become a hurdle in Modi govt's inflation fight

"In terms of the outlook for this year, we believe that milk prices will continue to increase, since there is a shortage of milk heading into the peak demand season," said an economist

Top Headlines: India's smartphone exports, soaring milk prices and more

Business Standard brings you the top headlines at this hour

Retail inflation falls to 15-month low in March on easing price pressure

Industrial output rose to 3-month high in Feb

Normal monsoon key but not the only factor to keep inflation under control

Developments such as Covid-induced lockdowns and the Russia-Ukraine war have also played a crucial role in keeping the inflation rate elevated

India's March retail inflation eases to 5.66%, lowest since December 2021

According to govt data, urban inflation in March was 5.89%, while rural inflation was 5.51%

Sensex rises 235 pts, Nifty tops 17,800 in fag-end; Divis Labs zooms 10%

CLOSING BELL: Among sectors, the Nifty Pharma index leaped over 2 per cent today as India saw over 7,000 fresh cases of Covid-19

Dollar dips ahead of key US inflation data, possible Fed rate hikes

The US dollar slipped on Wednesday ahead of a closely-watched inflation reading later in the day that will provide clues on the path of Federal Reserve interest rate hikes

Oil prices rise in choppy trading with US and China inflation in focus

Brent crude futures rose 65 cents, or 0.8%, to $84.83 a barrel by 1405 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate futures rose 92 cents, or 1.2%, to $80.66 a barrel

Bulls ride on bank stocks to end higher for 7th session; Sensex up 311 pts

CLOSING BELL: The Nifty50 added 98 points to end at 17,722 level

Cost inflation index for LTCG tax stands 5.13% higher in FY24 YoY

Long-term capital gains tax kicks in for listed equities if the holding period is one year, while it is two years for non-financial assets such as real estate

I-T Dept notifies Cost Inflation Index for current FY for computing LTCG

The Income Tax Department has notified the Cost Inflation Index for the current fiscal beginning April 2023, for calculating long-term capital gains arising from sale of immovable property, securities and jewellery. The Cost Inflation Index (CII) is used by taxpayers to compute gains arising out of sale of capital assets after adjusting inflation. The Cost Inflation Index for FY 2023-24 relevant to AY 2024-25 stood at 348, as per a notification of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). Usually, the income tax department notifies CII in the month of June. The CII number for last fiscal was 331 and for 2021-22 financial year it was 317. AMRG & Associates Senior Partner Rajat Mohan said the CII would help taxpayers to compute long-term capital gains tax enabling them to remit advance tax on time. "This year's cost of inflation index is notified 3 months earlier by the tax department as compared to last fiscal year. Taxpayers can now precisely and accurately compute tax on ...

Core inflation still elevated despite muted demand, easing supply situation

Some economists believe that firms are using the excuse of supply disruptions, earlier due to Covid-19 and now the Russia-Ukraine war, to increase prices, calling it 'excuseflation'

China's weak inflation fuels calls for ease in policy to aid recovery

While the economy has been recovering post-Covid, the figures indicate domestic demand remains weak, giving authorities space to roll out more supportive policies